The importance of shutter speed is something that we can sometimes undervalue by attempting to use ISO values that are too low when creating photographs. We may read articles or view videos that are adamant that we should always shoot at low ISO values. While this can be appropriate in specific situations, using a low ISO and sacrificing shutter speed as a trade-off, can be problematic.
NOTE: Click on images to enlarge.

Obviously photographing stationery subjects is a scenario when using the lowest possible ISO can be a good idea, as this helps maximize the available dynamic range and colour depth of our camera’s sensor. Without any subject movement there is no risk of motion blur other than what may be caused by a photographer’s handholding technique.

Still life subjects can regularly be shot at base ISO handheld, or with the assistance of a tripod when necessary. Very slow shutter speeds can routinely be used in combination with base ISO values in this type of situation. As long as the photographer’s handholding skill and camera gear’s IBIS performance allow. I like to think of still life images as ‘no brainer’ opportunities. Most of us do not make a steady diet of still life photography.

In many instances landscape images can be captured at base ISO using fairly slow shutter speeds if there is little to no movement in the composition. We need to be intensely aware of our environment in these situations to ensure an appropriate shutter speed. Often a landscape image capture needs to be timed in between slight breezes.

It is critical that a photographer considers the amount of movement in a scene, as well as the effectiveness of their handholding technique, and the IBIS (in body image stabilization) or VR (vibration reduction) technology resident in their camera gear. Under very calm conditions slower shutter speeds can be used even when photographing in forests and other environments that are very sensitive to breezes.

Every photographer has their own approach when it comes to choosing their shutter speed, lens focal length, aperture and ISO value for specific photographic situations. For me, the ISO value that I use is always the least important factor with my photography.

My priority is always to get the right combination of focal length, aperture, and distance to subject, to create the composition and depth-of-field that I want. Since I virtually always shoot handheld, my next consideration is selecting the correct shutter speed given the camera gear that I’m using, and the amount of subject movement in the composition.

Knowing our individual handheld shutter speed limits based on lens, focal length, and camera body is critical. Ongoing handheld practice can pay a lot of dividends.

My final consideration is ISO value. The main determinant here is to get an appropriate exposure for my photograph based on my creative intent. Our relative comfort working with higher ISO value files in post comes into play when deciding on camera settings for a particular image. For example I never hesitated shooting my Nikon 1 gear up to ISO-3200.


I’ve found that I can push my Olympus M4/3 files further and don’t hesitate to regularly go up to ISO-6400, and sometimes higher… although I seldom go beyond ISO-16000.

Leveraging computational photography technologies available with our cameras can also impact our choice of shutter speed. For example, we may be able to use a more open aperture like f/4 and get our desired depth-of-field by utilizing in-camera focus stacking. This technology, in combination with IBIS performance, may allow us to choose an easy-to-use shutter speed of 1/40 and still shoot at base ISO. This can help avoid a potentially soft image by using a too slow shutter speed if our lens had been stopped down to f/8 or f/11 to create the desired depth-of-field.

Other computational photography technologies like Handheld Hi Res may allow us to shoot at higher ISO values like ISO-5000 or ISO-6400 with minimal noise and loss of dynamic range. Again, the key is to use the right shutter speed for the technology being employed and the subject being photographed.

As photographers we will be faced with situations where we need to push our camera settings in order to get a useable image… or not get any image at all. Rather than underexpose an action-oriented image to maintain a particular ISO value, I would much rather get a good, balanced exposure… even if I have to push my ISO setting. The images above and below were both captured handheld through my kitchen window at ISO-16000.

Regardless of the camera system used, I’ve never liked the results when I’ve tried to significantly lift underexposed, shadow areas in a photograph in post. In my experience dealing with noise in post is much easier when an image has been properly exposed rather than underexposed.

In some situations a photographer may choose to purposely expose to the right (ETTR) with a particular photograph.

Advancements with AI in various photographic software programs also allow for improved high ISO results. This technology makes using an appropriate shutter speed in low light conditions less concerning for many photographers.


When working with photography coaching clients, I’ve found the most common reason for soft images is them trying to keep their ISO low, while using a shutter speed that was too slow for the situation.

At the end of the day, when faced with having to choose between shutter speed and ISO value… shutter speed will win out with me every time.
Technical Note
Photographs were captured handheld using camera gear as noted in the EXIF data. Image 8 was created from an out-of-camera jpeg. All other images were produced from RAW files using my standard process in post. This is the 1,332article published on this website since its original inception in 2015.

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